Land prices in Co Laois have risen at a steady pace over the past decade, including a notable jump in 2023. Again, there was a small increase in 2024.

Prices rose to an average of €16,894/ac. This was up 3% on the €16,359/ac achieved the year before – the increase was €535/ac.

Land prices in Laois are now among the highest in the country, behind only counties Dublin, Wexford, Meath and Louth.

For our survey, we looked at 39 farms and holdings with a total of 1,280ac, a mix of all land types. We did our calculations on 17 farms that had sold by year-end.

Prices ranged from a minimum of €8,966/ac to a maximum of €36,747/ac. Among the notable sales, Joe Coogan sold a 66.5ac farm under tillage and grass at Kilbreedy, Rathdowney at auction for €1.195m, just under €18,000/ac, to a dairy farmer.

He also sold 39ac at Tolerton, Ballickmoyler after auction for approximately €650,000 or €16,670/ac.

Hennessy Auctioneers auctioned 32ac with a derelict cottage at Morette, Emo in lots. The land made €23,550/ac – the cottage on 1ac secured a whopping €205,000.

They also sold a 42ac farm with a derelict house at Derryguile, Mountmellick at auction for €580,000.

Vital statistics

Average*: €16,894

% change on 2023: +3%

Acres offered: 1,280

Total number of farms: 39

Price range: €8,966/ac to €36,747/ac

Most active buyers: Dairy

Weighted average: €16,268/ac

*Number of transactions: 19